"You know I will, Flem. Now let me begin with the very first moment my lover arrived at my chambers."
Brenna glanced at Meredith"s pale face. With calm a.s.surance, she surprised the queen and her Maries by taking Meredith by the hand.
"Please excuse us. Majesty. Meredith must rest or she will make herself ill."
Though she protested, Meredith allowed herself to be led to the sleeping chamber.
"I will help you change into something comfortable." Brenna reached for the b.u.t.tons of the scarlet gown.
"Nay." Meredith stopped her.
"Until the queen gives her permission, I must continue the charade."
"Aye." Brenna removed the crown and unpinned Meredith"s hair.
"But at least you can be comfortable."
"I will not sleep. I will merely rest for a few minutes."
"Rest then," Brenna whispered, helping her into bed. "We will be just outside the door in the sitting chamber."
Meredith"s weak smile revealed her exhaustion.
"I am so glad you are here."
"Then you do not mind that we disobeyed your orders?" "Nay." Meredith opened her arms and embraced her sister.
"Rest now. Soon enough we will be home." Home. Meredith watched as the door closed. It had been such a long time since she had enjoyed the simple pleasures of home.
Her lids fluttered. With a sigh she gave in to the overwhelming feelings that swamped her. Within minutes she was fast asleep.
The sun had made its arc to the western sky. Evening shadows drifted across the grounds of Holyroodhouse. Meredith heard the door to the outer chamber open, and heard, from the sitting chamber, the sounds of her sisters chatting with the queen. The servants had apparently brought an evening meal. From the peals of laughter that could be heard, it was obvious that the queen was still regaling them with tales of her adventure. What a delightful surprise to know that her sisters were here to share this.
At the muted sound of footsteps Meredith sat up, a bright expectant smile on her face.
"Brice..."
The man who appeared beside her bed was not Brice. His golden hair and evil, dangerous smile made her heart stop.
"So, my lady. At last I find you."
As she opened her mouth to scream, he covered her mouth with his hand.
In his other hand was a small, deadly knife.
"If you summon the others, they will die as well, The choice is yours."
Meredith thought about the two sisters she adored. She would rather die at the hands of this monster than give him the chance to harm Brenna or Megan. She nodded her agreement. When he removed his hand she sucked in several deep breaths and fought to control her terror.
Roughly he threw back the bed covers and dragged her to her feet. The moment the bed linens fell away, he stared in open mouthed surprise.
"That gown... You..." His eyes narrowed.
"You! It was not the queen who publicly humiliated me this day. It was you."
"Aye. And it was nearly as satisfying as seeing you dead." She tossed her head, striving for courage she did not really feel.
"You cannot hope to kill me and escape this palace. There are guards everywhere."
"I have evaded them for hours," he scoffed.
"When darkness covers the land I will join my men who wait for me beyond the city."
"But where can you go? You cannot hide forever. You have been banished from Scotland."
"By you. Not by the queen."
"I speak for the queen." With her hands at her hips she met his level look.
"The words I spoke this day are already law."
"There are ways around the law." He spoke quickly, as though he had already given this some thought.
"There are many countries that would welcome a man who can command armies."
"You would ask your men to leave their homes and follow you?"
"They will go where I lead them." He moved closer. "The French queen hates Mary Stuart. She would pay me handsomely to fight for her cause."
"That would make you a traitor as well as a murderer."
"You are a fool." He studied the firm young body beneath the elegant gown.
"Together we could have owned all of the Borderland."
"Then you are the bigger fool. I would have rather died than permitted you to touch me."
His hand snaked out, catching her roughly by the shoulder.
"Then you shall have your wish." His gaze pinned her.
"From the beginning you were the problem. But you will be a problem no more."
"What do you intend to do with me?"
His breath was hot against her temple as he dragged her toward the door.
"I had hoped to kill you. But now you will be my a.s.surance that I leave this prison. If any of the queen"s guards stop us, you will be as convincing as you were this day. You, little witch, will help me reach my men safely. And," he added with a cruel laugh, "if you prove useful enough, I may even take you all the way to France with me."
As he dragged her toward the outer door, the inner door between the sitting chamber and sleeping chamber was suddenly thrown open. Brice stood framed in the doorway. Beyond him stood the queen, her face aglow, her Maries surrounding her like fluttering birds.